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Meet Rebecca Lee

Crop technician

Rebecca is a field operations manager at the John Innes Centre

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What I do

I help scientists who are researching different variations of crops (plants grown for food, such as wheat, oilseed rape, peas and potatoes). The work we do helps people understand and learn about the crops, how they are affected by climate change, pests and diseases, or how they can be improved to make the food products we eat healthier.

I work with scientists who are trying to understand genetic differences in crops, and how these change the plant. Seeds are tested under controlled environmental conditions in our laboratory and then planted at our research farm, which is where my job begins. I plant the seeds, grow the plants and collect data for the scientists to analyse, to determine how the test plants have performed in a real farm environment.

The scientists may want to see how a new variety of wheat grows in a drought, so I’ll plant test batches, grow them under different conditions and eventually harvest them. I make observations and collect data on things like the height, health and even protein content of the plants. All this information is used to improve the seeds that farmers will use in the future.

Rebecca spraying test crops on the farm, wearing a clean suit, gloves, and a backpack pressure sprayer.

How I became a technician

I grew up on a family farm with both livestock and crops, and I’ve always loved farming. At school, I chose history, geography, music and catering for my GCSE options. At sixth form, I studied A-level sociology and also health and social care. I then did a Level 2 and a Level 3 apprenticeship in children and young people’s studies at a children’s nursery.

How I became a technician

I worked in childcare for five years and enjoyed it at the time, but I realised I'd gone into it because my friends did, rather than it being what I was passionate about, which was farming – I used to book time off over harvest so I could help my dad on the combine harvester!

How I became a technician

I missed farming, so I applied for a field technician job at the John Innes Centre. I didn’t have any farming qualifications, but I had experience from working on the family farm. I was so happy when I got the job!

How I became a technician

I completed a foundation course in agronomy, which is the science of growing crops. After a while, I was promoted to field operations manager. I love that as well as the link to farming, I get involved with the planning, science and data side of the research – it fascinates me.

A typical day in my working life

Our usual hours are 8am to 4pm. In summer we are busy growing and harvesting the crops and in winter I spend more time indoors, looking through results, or writing up reports on the trials for the researchers.

A typical day in my working life

I plant seeds, care for crops and do the checks the scientists need, like checking for diseases and measuring the plants. I also plan and apply fertiliser and sprays at the right times. Harvest time in July and August is the busiest period, and we work overtime when needed.

A typical day in my working life

I drive the combine harvester and can see the data coming through on the screens while I’m harvesting test plots in the field. I love seeing the results immediately and knowing whether the crop has developed how we’d hoped it would.

Rebecca's point of view as she's driving the combine harvester through a field of wheat.

What I love about my job

Every day is different. One week we’re drilling (planting the seeds), then we’re spraying or fertilising. I enjoy the practical farm work mixed with the data and science too. It’s exciting to think that what we do now could change farming in 10, 15 or even 20 years’ time.

I also love the people I work with, and the research is fascinating. We get to test ideas that could help deal with climate change, like warming the soil to see how plants cope, or using shelters to create drought so we can find tougher crops for the future.

The skills I use most

Organisation and planning are key. I plan field work and timings for sprays and fertiliser, and I also need to be flexible when the weather changes. Problem solving is important too, because plans don’t always work first time. And you have to be good at communicating, I speak with scientists, our agronomist (an expert in soil management and crop production), my team and outside clients. Most of all, it’s important to have an interest in both the farming and the science, and a willingness to learn new things.

It’s exciting to think that what we do now could change farming in 10, 15 or even 20 years’ time.
Don’t be afraid to stand alone and follow your passion - choose the thing you care about and go for it.

A little more about my everyday role

The best part of working in a team

We’re a team of six and in the summer we bring in extra help. Because we’re small, everyone pitches in and learns lots of different tasks. We look out for each other in busy times like harvest and share the success when the trials go well. It feels good knowing the whole team helped a project succeed.

My favourite piece of equipment

The combine harvester, which I drive when we are harvesting the trial crops. I work closely with the supplier to see how much live data we can get from it. Right now, we are looking at protein levels in wheat and oil content in oilseed rape as we cut, and we’re exploring whether the sensor can also read things like starch content. I love seeing the numbers appear as we harvest a plot, it makes the science feel real.

What I like to do in my spare time

I spend a lot of time with animals. I have two horses, including my childhood pony who is now retired, and three lively spaniels who love long walks. When I can grab a spare few minutes, I go horse riding or walk the dogs. Where I live is about 20 minutes from the Norfolk coast, so I enjoy a walk along the beach. I also enjoy visiting my parents’ farm and helping out when I can.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

I was named on a scientific paper by a researcher I supported. It was about how parts of a wheat head develop and why some flowers don’t fully form. Being recognised on a research paper felt amazing because it showed that my work and the data I had collected helped the science move forward. Seeing my name on a piece of scientific research was a proud moment for me.

A surprising fact about my job

Research takes a long time. Before a new idea even reaches our fields, it may have spent years in the laboratory being developed. After field trials, it can then go back to the lab for more tests. Eventually, we hope to develop new, more sustainable, healthier varieties which will be registered and used in farming.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Follow what you want to do, not what your friends are doing. I chose childcare because my friends did, then found myself turning back to farming because I love it. Don’t be afraid to stand alone and follow your passion - choose the thing you care about and go for it.

Rebecca testing a sample in a mobile lab, in a trailer on the back of a tractor.

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